Hyundai Gains Share and Releases Genesis Coupe
Just as Costco and WalMart are doing relatively well in difficult times, the Wall Street Journal reports that while Hyundai USA’s sales are down, their market share is increasing. Industry wide sales in September were reportedly down 27% while Hyundai was “only” down 25%. Technically that does add up to a miniscule market share increase, but hardly anything to write home about. Hyundai has also just released the Genesis Coupe in Korea, taking aim at the likes of the Infiniti G37. Considering how much Sajeev liked the sedan, we are looking forward to the March 2009 US availability of the coupe. (Though Berkowitz not nearly as much). In their heydey the Thunderbird, Toronado, Eldorado and Mark VII were cars everyone aspired to; lately, not so much. But, with everything old suddenly new again perhaps there will be a revival of the luxurious coupe. With a starting price under $25,000 the Genesis Coupe might just be onto something. Or not.
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I don't think that this car is particularly ugly at all. I think the colors that Hyundai has decided to use in the launch photos are a mistake. I think the car will look amazing in bright white, and black. Just my two-cents...
The overall body shape (narrow wedge nose, bustle rear-end), is not unlike a Pontiac G6; the double character lines on the side are trying to say something (mangled "H"?), just don't know. It may be one of those cars that looks better in person. Still, its design is aerodynamic enough, and it's weight is low enough that it would make a more economical daily driver than the Camaro. I dunno -- it really depends on the price of gas as to whether the turbo-4 vs. V6 war will end. Seeing the Camaro's interior "in the flesh" could drive people back to the Hyundai dealership for the V6 version.